Written Answers Friday 21 May 2010

Scottish Executive

Civil Service

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies existed in the Scottish civil service in each of the last 12 months.

John Swinney: In the core Scottish Government and the agencies who utilise its recruitment services there were a total of 764 posts advertised internally and 129 advertised externally in the period 1 May 2009 to 17 May 2010. The following tables show the breakdown per month.

  The majority of vacancies in the Scottish Government are advertised internally first to ensure that existing staff are given the opportunity to move around the organisation for career progression and development purposes. If posts are not filled internally these are then placed on the wider civil service jobs websites to offer to civil servants from other government organisations that are surplus to requirements or may move for career purposes. It is only after this step that the decision is made to advertise externally.

  No. of Posts Advertised Internally 1 May 2009 to 17 May 2010

  

 May 2009
 June 2009
 July 2009
 August 2009
 September 2009
 October 2009
 November 2009
 December 2009
 January 2010
 February 2010
 March 2010
 April 2010
 May 2010


 21
 87
 89
 76
 76
 77
 62
 48
 62
 76
 64
 24
 2



  No. of Posts Advertised Externally 1 May 2009 to 17 May 2010

  

 May 2009
 June 2009
 July 2009
 August 2009
 September 2009
 October 2009
 November 2009
 December 2009
 January 2010
 February 2010
 March 2010
 April 2010
 May 2010


 9
 20
 28
 12
 15
 7
 12
 8
 7
 5
 3
 3
 0

Education

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many library staff were employed by (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special schools broken down by local authority area (i) in the last year, (ii) two years ago and (iii) four years ago.

Keith Brown: The number of school library staff reported as being employed in each of 2006, 2008 and 2009 are shown in the following table.

  

 
 2006
 2008
 2009


 primary
 secondary
 special
 primary
 secondary
 special
 primary
 secondary
 special


 Aberdeen City
 -
 11
 -
 -
 14
 -
 -
 14
 -


 Aberdeenshire
 -
 21
 -
 -
 19
 -
 -
 24
 -


 Angus
 -
 14
 -
 -
 13
 -
 -
 12
 -


 Argyll and Bute
 -
 10
 -
 -
 9
 -
 -
 10
 -


 Clackmannanshire
 -
 2
 -
 -
 3
 1
 -
 3
 -


 Dumfries and Galloway
 -
 11
 -
 -
 8
 -
 -
 11
 -


 Dundee City
 -
 10
 -
 -
 10
 -
 -
 11
 -


 East Ayrshire
 -
 9
 -
 -
 6
 -
 -
 8
 -


 East Dunbartonshire
 -
 9
 -
 -
 8
 -
 -
 8
 -


 East Lothian
 -
 6
 -
 -
 6
 -
 -
 6
 -


 East Renfrewshire
 1
 4
 -
 -
 7
 -
 -
 5
 -


 Edinburgh, City of
 -
 24
 -
 -
 19
 -
 -
 23
 -


 Eilean Siar
 1
 2
 -
 -
 1
 -
 -
 1
 -


 Falkirk
 -
 10
 1
 -
 8
 1
 -
 8
 1


 Fife
 -
 21
 -
 -
 20
 -
 -
 20
 -


 Glasgow City
 -
 27
 1
 -
 28
 -
 -
 26
 -


 Highland
 -
 15
 -
 1
 18
 -
 2
 19
 -


 Inverclyde
 -
 7
 -
 -
 6
 -
 -
 7
 -


 Midlothian
 -
 6
 -
 -
 5
 -
 -
 5
 -


 Moray
 1
 9
 -
 1
 8
 -
 -
 8
 -


 North Ayrshire
 -
 9
 -
 1
 9
 -
 -
 9
 -


 North Lanarkshire
 -
 26
 -
 -
 21
 -
 -
 22
 -


 Orkney Islands
 -
 2
 -
 -
 2
 -
 -
 2
 -


 Perth and Kinross
 -
 14
 -
 -
 18
 1
 -
 17
 1


 Renfrewshire
 -
 11
 -
 -
 10
 -
 -
 10
 -


 Scottish Borders
 -
 5
 -
 -
 8
 -
 -
 8
 -


 Shetland Islands
 5
 5
 -
 4
 4
 -
 1
 6
 -


 South Ayrshire
 -
 7
 -
 -
 7
 -
 -
 7
 -


 South Lanarkshire
 -
 13
 -
 -
 16
 -
 -
 8
 -


 Stirling
 -
 5
 -
 -
 6
 -
 -
 5
 -


 West Dunbartonshire
 -
 6
 -
 -
 6
 -
 -
 6
 -


 West Lothian
 -
 10
 -
 -
 13
 -
 -
 13
 -


 Scotland
 7
 339
 2
 7
 334
 3
 4
 340
 2



  It is likely that, in Eilean Siar and Shetland for 2006 and 2008, where library staff were working in through schools this may have been reported in both primary and secondary sectors, resulting in a small amount of double counting.

  The 2006 data presented in the table for East Renfrewshire is a revision of the figure originally published in the Teacher Census statistical report.

Glasgow Airport Rail Link

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a full breakdown of the cost to it of the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link project.

Stewart Stevenson: The cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link project resulted in a net reduction of government expenditure. Based on the last estimated costs for the project, these figures are detailed in the following table:

  

 Financial Year
 2009-10   £ million
 2010-11   £ million
 2011-12 
£ million
 2012-13 
£ million
 2013-14   £ million


 Forecast Capital Expenditure 
 48.7
 62.6
 37.7
 23.5
 3.2



  In addition, Network Rail Regulated Asset Base expenditure will reduce by £12.1 million with a small annual reduction in Scottish Government expenditure as repayments will now not be required for the cancelled branch line works.

Health

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on whether a patient in an NHS hospital should have the right to find out the identities of those who have prescribed and administered medication to him or her.

Shona Robison: All individuals have a right to access their health records under the Data Protection Act 1988. Information on how to access such records (including, for example an NHS leaflet entitled How to See Your Health Records ) is available from Health Rights Information Scotland, Consumer Focus Scotland, Royal Exchange House, Queen Street, Glasgow G1 3DN or at:

  http://www.hris.org.uk/index.aspx?o=1026.

  All prescriptions need to be signed by a doctor and each administration requires to be initialled on a drug prescribing sheet which is stored in the case-note.

  There would be no reason on the grounds of privacy and confidentiality why an individual should not be informed of the names of those who prescribe and administer their medication. This is an integral part of the medical record and it is fundamental that the patient knows the name of the person who treated them. The prescriber actively treats the patient. It is not a passive relationship.

  In addition, identification of the person prescribing and administering the medication may not always be a formal process; it can be as simple as the medical professional in question introducing them self to the patient.

  The Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill, introduced to Parliament on 17 March 2010, includes a schedule of Healthcare Principles. Principle 2 is that ‘Patients are treated with dignity and respect’; there are also Principles on Patient Participation, which emphasise such information and support as is necessary to enable a patient to participate as fully as possible in decisions relating to the patient’s health and wellbeing. The Bill legislates for a duty on relevant NHS bodies to have regard to the health care principles in so far as they are relevant to the function being performed.

Health

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what weight it considers that NHS boards should give to the views of local communities when determining new pharmacy applications.

Shona Robison: Applications to open new community pharmacies are made and considered under the terms of the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009. These regulations were approved by the Scottish Parliament and came into force in July last year. That approval followed an amendment made by the Scottish Government to place a duty on NHS boards to take reasonable steps to consult with the local community when considering applications.

  It is for NHS boards to determine how best to conduct such consultation, bearing in mind local circumstances, and how to take into account the views received. Our consultation Review of the Control of Entry Arrangements published on 22 March 2010 seeks views on the issue of public consultation and can be found on the Scottish Government website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current.

  In addition, we recently issued a circular to all NHS Boards - CEL 4 (2010) Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Care Services. This provides advice to NHS boards on involving the public in the development and delivery of NHS services and can be found at:

  www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/cel2010_04.pdf.

Health

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it provides to NHS boards in relation to new pharmacy applications.

Shona Robison: Applications to open new community pharmacies are made and considered under the terms of the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009. These regulations were approved by the Scottish Parliament and came into force in July last year. No additional guidance has been issued by the Scottish Government.

  However, our consultation document Review of the Control of Entry Arrangements, published on 22 March 2010, seeks views on a number of related issues including the potential provision of guidance to NHS boards. The consultation can be found on the Scottish Government website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current.

Health

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are timeframes within which NHS boards should determine new pharmacy applications and, if so, what these are.

Shona Robison: The NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 sets timescales for consultation with interested parties and timescales around when a community pharmacy should open following a successful application. However, they do not set timescales within which NHS boards must determine applications. This is therefore a matter for individual NHS boards to consider, bearing in mind local circumstances.

  Our consultation document Review of the Control of Entry Arrangements, published on 22 March 2010, seeks views on a number issues and we would be happy to consider comments in relation to the above. The consultation can be found on the Scottish Government website at: 0

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current.

Housing

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed national housing trust will be covered by the guidelines on consultancy introduced by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in December 2008, requiring that the use of consultants at a cost of £10,000 or more be approved at director general level and, for £50,000 or more, cabinet secretary level.

Alex Neil: The delivery of the proposed National Housing Trust initiative is being led by the Scottish Futures Trust so is not covered by the guidelines on consultancy introduced by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in December 2008.

  I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33581 on 21 May 2010, which explains the separate arrangements which the Scottish Futures Trust is subject to. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Human Rights Commission

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish Human Rights Commission would exercise its power to intervene in civil court cases.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Human Rights Commission is independent of the Scottish Parliament and Government. How this body exercises its powers in any matter is for it to determine.

Mental Health

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-32648 by Shona Robison on 16 April 2010 in which a short-term detention certificate is listed as one of the limited exceptions to the involvement of a court or tribunal in the case of compulsory treatment, for what reason the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland states in its Annual Monitoring Report 2007-2008 that, when the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 was implemented, the short-term detention certificate was the expected route into compulsory treatment.

Shona Robison: The Mental Welfare Commission would be better placed to explain their reasoning behind that statement in their Annual Monitoring Report.

  However, it may be noted that the 2001 Millan Report, on which the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 was based, recommended (recommendation 8.24) that short term detention should be used in preference to emergency detention wherever practicable.

  It may also be noted that the Code of Practice states that "a short-term detention certificate is the preferred gateway order" because, as compared with an emergency detention certificate, it can only be granted by an approved medical practitioner; the consent of a mental health officer in the granting of the short-term certificate is mandatory, and it confers on the patient and the patient’s named person a more extensive set of rights including the right to make an application to the tribunal to revoke the certificate.

  In the explanatory notes to the act it makes the point that the criteria for a short-term certificate and a CTO are similar but that one important distinction is that a short-term certificate may be used in circumstances where the nature and effect of the patient’s mental disorder is not clear and, therefore the approved medical practitioner must only be satisfied that it is necessary to detain the patient for the purpose of either determining what treatment should be given or for administering medical treatment.

  There are still cases where it is appropriate to consider a CTO application in the first instance. This does provide for a thorough examination of the criteria and affords the patient greater rights. A balance has to be struck in protecting the rights of the individual while ensuring speedy access to treatment where there would be risks in delaying.

Mental Health

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to invite the Scottish Law Commission to consider Recommendation Rec(2004) 10 of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers to member states concerning the protection of human rights and dignity of persons with a mental disorder and to consider whether this requires amendments to the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

Shona Robison: Recommendation (2004) 10 of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers to member states concerning the protection of human rights and dignity of persons with mental disorder was adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 22 September 2004. A Council of Europe Recommendation is a recommendation to member states following agreement by them on a common policy on a particular subject, and is not binding on member states.

  The UK Government, as the member state, and after consulting with the Scottish Government, agreed the Recommendation subject only to having entered reservations in relation to its articles 17, 18, 20, 24, 28 and 37. As an example of the reservations entered into by the UK Government, articles 17 and 18 (involuntary placement and treatment for mental disorder), these provide that measures might be taken only where there is a "significant risk of serious harm"; this was viewed in the context of the existing tests for compulsory measures of detention and treatment under mental health legislation across the UK not to be proportionate, whether that be in the interests of the health and safety of the patient, or for the protection of others.

  For these reasons, the Scottish Government currently has no plans to invite the Scottish Law Commission to consider the Recommendation, with a view to amending the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

  Otherwise, the Recommendation is based around the aim of enhancing the protection of the dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with mental disorder, in particular those who are subject to involuntary placement or involuntary treatment. It also embraces principles of non discrimination on grounds of mental disorder, principle of least restriction, and the importance of information and assistance on patients’ rights. These are all concepts already firmly embedded in Scottish mental health legislation.

Mental Health

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of surveys that provide evidence that hallucinations on their own are not conclusive evidence of schizophrenia and can be experienced by people who appear to be otherwise normal, who do not regard themselves as mentally ill and who have not felt the need to seek psychiatric treatment, as noted in Madness Explained: Psychosis and Human Nature by Richard P Bentall .

Shona Robison: Clinical guidance on diagnosing schizophrenia in its different forms is laid out in ICD10 (International Classification of Diseases Version 10) and clearly indicates that the presence of hallucinations alone would not be sufficient to meet those criteria.

Mental Health

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that a mental health patient whose condition poses no risk to others should have the right to refuse treatment.

Shona Robison: There are three ways in which a person may be subjected to compulsory measures of treatment under the civil regime in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, namely: (a) emergency detention; (b) short-term detention, and (c) long-term detention or compulsory measures under the authority of a compulsory treatment order. In addition, mentally disordered offenders may be made subject to compulsory measures of treatment by the courts under the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (the 1995 act).

  Before an individual is detained under the Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 an Approved Medical Practitioner must have considered and be satisfied that if the patient were not detained in hospital there would be significant risk to the health, safety or welfare of the patient or to the safety of any other person. The Approved Medical Practitioner must then keep this criteria under review.

  In terms of any subsequent treatment, the majority of compulsory measures of treatment for mental disorder are first approved by either the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland under part 7 of the 2003 act (compulsory treatment orders) or by a court under the 1995 act in relation to mentally disordered offenders. The two exceptions to this prior authority for treatment for mental disorder by a court or tribunal are: civil emergency detention under part 5 of the 2003 act, and short-term detention under part 6 of the 2003 act.

  In relation to emergency detention, the authorised period of detention is just 72 hours and the purpose of the detention is to determine what medical treatment requires to be provided to the patient. There is no general authority to give treatment for mental disorder under an emergency detention certificate.

  A short-term detention certificate does enable treatment to be given, in accordance with part 16 of the 2003 act. Volume 1, Chapter 10 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 Code of Practice provides guidance on the provision of medical treatment for mental disorder which are set out in part 16, including the issue of consent.

  Where an individual feels that they may have been misdiagnosed as suffering from a mental disorder of any sort they may ask for a second opinion or they may contact the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland to look into their complaint.

Mental Health

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the statement by Richard P Bentall, winner of the Psychological Society Book Award 2004, in his book, Madness Explained: Psychosis and Human Nature , that "the overzealous use of neuroleptic medication has led to a worldwide epidemic of avoidable iatrogenic illness, causing unnecessary distress to countless vulnerable people, and no doubt sending some to early graves" and what its position is on this statement.

Shona Robison: Neuroleptic medication is defined as any drug that induces an altered state of consciousness, such as an antipsychotic drug. Iatrogenic illness is defined as any complication related to diagnosis and treatment of disease, regardless of whether the condition occurs as a known risk of a procedure or through errors of omission or commission.

  Psychological therapies, rehabilitation and support have been effective in improving social functioning in patients and are used in conjunction with medication to improve overall quality of life.

  It is important to note that serious side effects are uncommon and there is no evidence for a "world wide epidemic of iatrogenic illness" directly related to antipsychotic prescribing. People with schizophrenia have an increased risk of mortality due to cancer, and cardiovascular and endocrine conditions. However, there are complex reasons for this, some related to smoking, lack of exercise, poor attendance at screening and keep well clinics in primary care, poor diet, high risk behaviours and possibly the illness itself.

  Whilst there is some uncertainty about the precise relationship between schizophrenia, metabolic problems and antipsychotic medication there is agreement that routine physical health screening of people prescribed antipsychotic drugs is required. This issue is picked up in the NICE (2009) Guidance which makes specific monitoring recommendations. Scotland has further addressed this issue in Improving the Physical Health and Wellbeing of those Experiencing Mental Illness December 2008 published by the Scottish Government, the SIGN guideline for schizophrenia published October 1998 and the Integrated Care Pathway for Schizophrenia published December 2007 which provides standards for care and monitoring of the disorder. The Quality of Outcomes Framework (QOF) in primary care is now trying to reduce these inequalities by specific screening programmes on physical health in severe mental illness.

  It is also important to note that since the 1960s and the introduction of antipsychotic medication, there has been widespread closure of asylums across the UK and Europe. This has been directly attributed to our ability to control the symptoms of psychotic disorders with medication. This has led to most patients being treated in the community rather than hospital.

Mental Health

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would be acceptable under section 44(4)(b) of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 for a psychiatrist to judge that a patient’s ability to make decisions about the provision of remedial treatment is significantly impaired on the basis that the patient disagrees with the opinion of the psychiatrist.

Shona Robison: Section 44 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 sets out the procedure for granting a short-term detention certificate (STDC) authorising the detention of a patient in hospital for a period of up to 28 days. One of the conditions to be met is that the Approved Medical Practitioner considers it likely that because of the mental disorder, the patient’s ability to make decisions about the provision of the medical treatment is significantly impaired (s44 (4)(b)).

  The Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland is the independent organisation responsible for making decisions about the care and treatment for a person subject to compulsory powers under the 2003 act. Statutory protections for patients are built into the 2003 act, with a requirement on relevant medical personnel to submit a care plan to the tribunal setting out the medical treatment which it is proposed to give or is being given, to review patients’ cases and providing rights of appeal to the tribunal for revocation of an order. In particular, prior to granting a short-term detention certificate the registered medical practitioner and/or tribunal, as the case may be, is required under the 2003 act to consider the question of whether the patient’s ability to make decisions about the provision of medical treatment is significantly impaired. This is a clinical judgment.

Mental Health

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 does not contain a provision for an appeal against a diagnosis of significantly impaired decision-making capacity with respect to medical treatment.

Shona Robison: The test of whether a patient’s ability to make decisions about the provision of medical treatment is significantly impaired as a result of the mental disorder in question is one of the criteria for the exercise of civil compulsory powers under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

  As indicated in Volume 2 of the Code of Practice to the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, the concept of impaired decision making is separate to that of "incapacity" as defined under the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. However, when assessing a person’s decision-making ability, it is likely that similar factors will be considered to those taken into account when assessing incapacity. Such factors could involve consideration of the extent to which the person’s mental disorder might adversely affect their ability to believe, understand and retain information concerning their care and treatment, to make decisions based on that information, and to communicate those decisions to others.

  Under the act the onus rests on the practitioner to demonstrate that he/she considers it likely that the criteria for detention, including that of significantly impaired decision-making ability (SIDMA) is met. Moreover, SIDMA must always be linked to the patient’s mental disorder.

  As the test of significantly impaired decision-making ability (SIDMA) is part of the criteria for civil compulsory measures, the patient has the right of appeal under the act against the certificate or order in question.

Mental Health

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commission research to determine whether transcripts of tribunal hearings demonstrate that each of the five criteria for compulsory treatment has been met before a tribunal consents to an application for a compulsory treatment order or an interim compulsory treatment order.

Shona Robison: An Independent Review Group was appointed in January 2008 to undertake a limited review of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. The Scottish Government wished to consult on the recommendations of this Review Group and it published a written consultation document. The full research report on the Review of the Mental Health Law Consultation Analysis is now available on the Scottish Government Social Research website.

  In addition, several pieces of research were commissioned by ministers, including "An exploration of the early operation of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland" and "Experiences of the early Implementation of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2003: A Cohort Study".

  There are no plans at present to commission a research project specifically around auditing the transcripts of all tribunal hearings to date.

  If a patient is concerned that one of the criteria for a Compulsory Treatment Order or an Interim Compulsory Treatment Order have not been met they can appeal.

Mental Health

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients have been detained by (a) order of a court or tribunal, (b) a medical practitioner authorising emergency detention and (c) short-term detention certificate in each year since the introduction of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

Shona Robison: The Mental Welfare Commission must be notified of all episodes of compulsory treatment under the 2003 Act and the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. The Commission is then able to produce a statistical overview of the operation of detention procedures in Scotland. Reports prepared by the Mental Welfare Commission can be assessed at:

  http://reports.mwcscot.org.uk/.

  The following tables have been produced from information held by the Mental Welfare Commission and detail the number of patients who have been detained since the introduction of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment ) (Scotland) Act 2003.

  (a) Detained Patients by Order of a Court or Tribunal

  

 
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10


Detained Patients
821*
2,065
1,921
1,891
1,556


Patients treated in the community
52*
198
166
170
119



  (b) A medical Practitioner Authorising Emergency Detention

  

 
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10


Emergency Detentions
932*
2,049
1,952
1,891
1,818



  (c) Short-Term Detention Certificate in Each Year Since the Introduction of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003

  

 
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10


Short Term Detention Certificates
1,677*
3,331
3,259
3,259
3,347



  Notes on data:

  Figures cover period 1 April to 31 March for each year.

  *Implementation of the Act commenced in October 2005.

NHS Finance

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications of a rise in VAT from 17.5% to 20% would be for NHS boards in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon: The estimated implication of a rise in VAT from 17.5% to 20% for NHS boards in Scotland is shown in the following table.

  

NHS Boards
£ Million


Ayrshire and Arran 
2.1


Borders 
0.4


Dumfries and Galloway 
0.7


Fife 
1.4


Forth Valley 
1.4


Grampian 
2.3


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
6.5


Highland 
1.4


Lanarkshire 
1.8


Lothian 
2.3


Orkney 
0.1


Shetland 
0.1


Tayside 
2.8


Western Isles 
0.1


NHS Boards Total
23.4


NHS Special Health Boards
 


Scottish Ambulance Service
0.5


National Services Scotland
1.4


NHS 24
0.1


The State Hospital
0.4


Golden Jubilee National Hospital
0.6


NHS Education Scotland
0.1


NHS Health Scotland
0.0


Quality Improvement Scotland
0.0


NHS Special Health Boards Total
3.1


NHS Scotland Total
26.5

Rail Network

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the provision of a rail halt at Mauchline.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has no plans to provide a rail halt at Mauchline.

Scottish Futures Trust

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Futures Trust is covered by the guidelines on consultancy introduced by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in December 2008, requiring that the use of consultants at a cost of £10,000 or more be approved at director general level and, for £50,000 or more, cabinet secretary level.

John Swinney: The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) is not covered by the guidelines on consultancy introduced in December 2008.

  SFT’s Management Statement and Financial Memorandum specifies the general principles that SFT must adhere to in any expenditure. This includes the overarching requirement that procurement is based on value for money, as well as compliance with any relevant EU or other international procurement rules.

Sheltered Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are on waiting lists for sheltered housing, broken down by local authority.

Alex Neil: There is no data held centrally detailing how many applicants on housing lists are waiting for sheltered accommodation.

  The total number of applicants on council housing lists is published annually at local authority level by the Scottish Government.

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/StockManagement.

  In addition, the number of applicants on housing association housing lists is collected by the Scottish Housing Regulator and the figure for Scotland was 244,335 at 31 March 2009. This cannot be broken down by local authority area.

  These figures are likely to contain al large degree of double counting as households can apply to more than one list at the same time. They are not considered to represent an accurate measure of need for social housing.

Transport

Margaret Curran (Glasgow Baillieston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of drivers employed by Network Private Hire Ltd, Glasgow, has enhanced disclosure certification.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

Transport

Margaret Curran (Glasgow Baillieston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any plans for all drivers employed by Network Private Hire Ltd, Glasgow, to have enhanced disclosure certification.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has no knowledge of Network Private Hire’s intentions with regard to the matter of enhanced disclosure certification for the company’s employees.